Music Monday - Commemoration to Christchurch (alliterations are awesome)
In spirit of remembrance to all those recently affected by the catastrophic earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand this weeks music selection comes from Kiwi supergroup Fly My Pretties. They only release live albums from the rare shows they play, and this song 'Bag of Money' comes from the album 'Live at Bats' . I wanted to post 'All the Goodness', but alas could not find it online. Either way, solid album, groovy tunes.
Christchurch, New Zealand - September 2010
Last September I had been in New Zealand for about a week and was unable to find a working holiday job so I jumped on a flight bound for Christchurch to visit my dear friend and university flatmate Kyle, who's teaching at a rad alternative high school in the city (and fortunately safe and sound after the recent quake). It had been less than a week after the first big earthquake, which toppled many buildings, but thankfully left no casualties. We were awakened abruptly many nights in a row by strong aftershocks that shook the entire house. I wasn't too concerned about it at the time since I hadn't been there for the initial quake, and I knew that although many buildings were affected, it wasn't too grim. Still, the entire country banded together in support, and crews were working hard trying to restore some sort of normalcy to the city which had many sections of sidewalks and roads fenced off that were covered in crumbled bricks and shattered glass.
Less than a few months later, it was a mine explosion on the west coast that shook the country a second time, unfortunately resulting in the loss of 29 lives. It was incredible to see the support shown by the kiwis during that ordeal. Of all the places I've travelled, they are hands down the most genuinely kind, compassionate people I've met. I was working on an organic vineyard at the time with an awesome crew of fellow backpackers, and we were told there would be a national moment of silence that we could choose to participate in. It was without question that we all stopped our work at the determined time, which was the least we could do to show our support for those in a country that had been so kind to us. Looking down over the hills of the vineyard to the main road below, I noticed all of the vehicles had pulled over to a stop on the side of the road, while those of us listening to the radio on our phones at the time commented afterwards on how the stations had also stopped broadcasting: the entire country was on pause for those meaningful two minutes. These seem like small gestures, but it just further showed the spirit of the kiwis, and I'm not sure I could confidently say that same national solidarity would have happened in Canada.
Though my body will be in India during the national moment of silence to be observed in NZ on Tuesday, my mind will be picturing myself standing back on the hills of the vineyard overlooking the sparkling lake, and my heart will be with all those who lost their lives in that earthquake, along with their friends and families.
Last September I had been in New Zealand for about a week and was unable to find a working holiday job so I jumped on a flight bound for Christchurch to visit my dear friend and university flatmate Kyle, who's teaching at a rad alternative high school in the city (and fortunately safe and sound after the recent quake). It had been less than a week after the first big earthquake, which toppled many buildings, but thankfully left no casualties. We were awakened abruptly many nights in a row by strong aftershocks that shook the entire house. I wasn't too concerned about it at the time since I hadn't been there for the initial quake, and I knew that although many buildings were affected, it wasn't too grim. Still, the entire country banded together in support, and crews were working hard trying to restore some sort of normalcy to the city which had many sections of sidewalks and roads fenced off that were covered in crumbled bricks and shattered glass.
Less than a few months later, it was a mine explosion on the west coast that shook the country a second time, unfortunately resulting in the loss of 29 lives. It was incredible to see the support shown by the kiwis during that ordeal. Of all the places I've travelled, they are hands down the most genuinely kind, compassionate people I've met. I was working on an organic vineyard at the time with an awesome crew of fellow backpackers, and we were told there would be a national moment of silence that we could choose to participate in. It was without question that we all stopped our work at the determined time, which was the least we could do to show our support for those in a country that had been so kind to us. Looking down over the hills of the vineyard to the main road below, I noticed all of the vehicles had pulled over to a stop on the side of the road, while those of us listening to the radio on our phones at the time commented afterwards on how the stations had also stopped broadcasting: the entire country was on pause for those meaningful two minutes. These seem like small gestures, but it just further showed the spirit of the kiwis, and I'm not sure I could confidently say that same national solidarity would have happened in Canada.
Last September I had been in New Zealand for about a week and was unable to find a working holiday job so I jumped on a flight bound for Christchurch to visit my dear friend and university flatmate Kyle, who's teaching at a rad alternative high school in the city (and fortunately safe and sound after the recent quake). It had been less than a week after the first big earthquake, which toppled many buildings, but thankfully left no casualties. We were awakened abruptly many nights in a row by strong aftershocks that shook the entire house. I wasn't too concerned about it at the time since I hadn't been there for the initial quake, and I knew that although many buildings were affected, it wasn't too grim. Still, the entire country banded together in support, and crews were working hard trying to restore some sort of normalcy to the city which had many sections of sidewalks and roads fenced off that were covered in crumbled bricks and shattered glass.
Less than a few months later, it was a mine explosion on the west coast that shook the country a second time, unfortunately resulting in the loss of 29 lives. It was incredible to see the support shown by the kiwis during that ordeal. Of all the places I've travelled, they are hands down the most genuinely kind, compassionate people I've met. I was working on an organic vineyard at the time with an awesome crew of fellow backpackers, and we were told there would be a national moment of silence that we could choose to participate in. It was without question that we all stopped our work at the determined time, which was the least we could do to show our support for those in a country that had been so kind to us. Looking down over the hills of the vineyard to the main road below, I noticed all of the vehicles had pulled over to a stop on the side of the road, while those of us listening to the radio on our phones at the time commented afterwards on how the stations had also stopped broadcasting: the entire country was on pause for those meaningful two minutes. These seem like small gestures, but it just further showed the spirit of the kiwis, and I'm not sure I could confidently say that same national solidarity would have happened in Canada.
i cannot believe they were hit again, and SO hard this time. so scary. thank goodness kw is okay. man oh man.
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